Press Pass

[wil]

Sorry if this dose not belong here, but.

I was wondering if any one knows how a freelance photographer gets a press pass to get in events, press only areas ec..

 

[Hertz van Rental]

You have to be working for a newspaper or magazine, in which case they will organise one.
The only other way to get one is to belong to a Journalist's Union. Membership will qualify you for a Press Card and you then use this to get Press passes to events.
Usually, Journalist's Unions require you to be making the majority of your income from published work in the Media before they will accept you for membership.
A lot of places only recognise certain Unions when giving Press passes, so you need to make sure you belong to the right one.
In the UK there is only one - the NUJ. I don't know what the situation is in other Countries.
A few links to get you started.
http://www.nuj.org.uk/
http://www.asja.org/
http://www.ifj.org/default.asp?index=177&Language=EN

 

[LizM]

First off never lie about being freelance! You'd be suprised how many do that.
Second, ask! A lot of places are more than happy to get you a pass once you explain who you are. Some aren't. Some will as long as you have a buyer (media outlet) already lined up for the story. In that case you will identify yourself as freelance on assignment for xyz.
In any event, call ahead! It really is your best shot!
Good luck!

 

[Islair]

I agree, just ask the person in charge. I have gotten into several events by just saying who I was and what I do, give the person a card, even if you go to Office Max and have 500 of them printed out for 25 bucks, a business card shows them you are serious about taking photos of their event.

When the event is over send them some proofs and let them know you have images for sale if they are interested. That just might get you "invited" back next year for the same event, or if the event coordinator gets you on file you might get invited to all the events at that particular location.

Good luck.